iPhone 4s and Laptop stuck in Customs.

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I travel a few times a year. I almost never bring anything back, other than small stuff within limits. Of course few times I have brought in big items too.

Every time I go out, I go to the 1st floor, beyond the immigration and 'declare' that we [wife and I] are taking bicycles out, so we need an 'export' certificate. Every time the guy [last time a lady] says that we don't need it, as on return they will not bother about cycles. Every time I insist, and it's an uphill task to get one but I do manage. Hell of a hassle, as we have to lug our bikes up where trolleys are not allowed, and bring them down again for check in. Anyone in Bangalore will know the layout of the airport. Stupidly designed.

Sure enough when we return, we are harassed about the bikes and we certainly need to show the export certificate. Is it all a racket to extort money when you return?

I have never paid a bribe at customs, but if a bribe were to save me money over the official duty, I would have no hesitation in saving the money and paying the bribe. This is India, and it will never change, and no amount of protests by Anna Hazare will make any difference. The bribe goes to the guys pocket, while the duty goes to some politician in the end.
 
Although not related to the thread but since we discussed customs in India here, i recently only got to know that the limit has been raised for Indian citizens from 25K to 35K, the amount of duty free stuff you can carry.
 
Sure enough when we return, we are harassed about the bikes and we certainly need to show the export certificate. Is it all a racket to extort money when you return?

Isnt that what customs is all about?

Charging extra for the privilege of buying something thats overpriced or not available in India?
 
But for the 35K worth of stuff we are carrying, do we have to declare or we should declare only the stuff which "we think" takes the amount to more than 35K ?

Also i don't know about others but in my previous 2-3 travels, i have never ever mentioned anything in that declaration slip we get onboard before we land. In my case when i am coming back, i should ideally put all list of electronics i am bringing ?
 
I had a query, the items above the defined limit, is the duty charged according to item type and percentages listed here? -- http://www.techenclave.com/topic/495810-custom-duty-related-queries/

The CBEC site shows it as

4. The goods over and above the free allowances shall be chargeable to customs duty @ 35% + an education cess of 3% i.e. to say the effective rate is 36.05%.

If its like above it doesn't matter what item you bring, you will be charged the above rate for the amount above the limit!
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I had a query, the items above the defined limit, is the duty charged according to item type and percentages listed here? -- http://www.techencla...elated-queries/

The CBEC site shows it as

If its like above it doesn't matter what item you bring, you will be charged the above rate for the amount above the limit!
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Thats correct.

Regardless of what you bring with you, if its imported personally and not through commercial channels, you get the pleasure of paying 36%

Also, the value of the goods on the basis of which they charge duty is not necessarily the same as the price you paid for it.

If say, you paid $300 for a gadget in US which costs Rs 40k in India, you will have to pay duty on 5k
 
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